Meanwhile, it is the purpose of the present Essay to treat only of one department of the art, namely, that of "giving Immediate Effect to Wood," and to lay down the principles, and explain the practice, by which that desirable object may be accomplished. But this, as it is to be effected by plants of a large size, it is far more difficult to manage than ordinary planting, and, by doing greater violence to Nature, requires far greater dexterity, as well as greater science. If, then, it hold true in Arboriculture, as it does in some other departments, that "the greater necessarily comprises the less," perhaps both the Principles and the Practice of general Planting will, in this way, be more impressively conveyed to the reader's mind, than could be done by other method. In order to render the subject as intelligible as possible, I have discussed it under Three general heads.

any

First; I have given a History of the Art, from the earliest times down to the present; from which it appears, that it has always been vague and fortuitous, at variance with what we know of the Laws of Nature, and

the Anatomy of Plants, and, for the most part, both unsuccessful and expensive.

Secondly; I have attempted to discover some plain and rational Theory, founded in nature and experience, for the guidance of the Planter, and which may tend to raise it to the rank of a useful Art.

Thirdly; I have endeavoured to deduce from this theory such a Practice, as shall insure success, by in some sort precluding contingency; and also, to diminish the expence by the one half, at least, of the pre

sent amount.

In attempting these objects, I trust, that I have treated, with due respect, the opinions of preceding writers. Where I have, from deliberate conviction, been forced to differ from them, I have done it with regret; being aware of the uncertainty, in which all knowledge, on so obscure a subject as Vegetable Physiology, must ever be held; and in which, although much has been already brought to light, by the patient industry of the philosopher, much, I am persuaded, still remains to be investigated.

For the deficiencies of the present work

I should wish next to say something, by way of apology, as I am conscious to myself how very greatly it stands in need of it. The fact is, it was undertaken at the desire of numerous friends, who approved of my system, which I have ventured to call the PRESERVATIVE, in order to serve as a Manual for their own practice. Accordingly, about eighteen months since, the First Section was written and printed, in order to convince myself, as well as others, that I was in earnest in undertaking the task; but it was soon after interrupted, and in the end thrown aside, for other more important avocations. Within these few months, the work was more seriously resumed. Each Section was thrown off, as soon as it was composed; and the consequence was, that some omissions, which appeared prominent, were to be supplied in the Notes, while others were found too extensive to be

in any way supplied. As Notes are not the most popular medium, through which information can be communicated, perhaps it will appear but a small countervail to this statement to add, that some information is

contained in them, which may prove useful to the Agriculturist, as well as to the general Planter.

In this condition of the Treatise, I submit it, imperfect as it is, to the candour of the reader; who, if he be a Phytologist of research, or, still more, a Planter of experience, will appreciate the difficulties which attend a new subject, and make some allowance for the execution, under such unfavourable circumstances.

In respect to the Practical part, I must own, that, in treating it, I should have been disposed to enter much less minutely into detail, had I merely consulted my own judgment. But as those friends, most anxious about the book, cried out most loudly for detail, and insisted, that it was impossible to make it too copious, I have, for the purpose of gratifying them, introduced, under this head, so minute a statement of my own practice, that it may probably be considered as more suitable to private communication, or perhaps to oral discussion.

Presumptuous enough, as I must appear to the English Planters, in venturing to be

lieve, that I could say anything that is new, on a subject so familiar to them, or in reprobating some parts of their system, which, in an evil hour, I have termed the MUTILATING, I am not willing to add to my sins in this way, by seeming also to supersede their practice, and recommend something of my own, which they may think much worse, in its stead. The truth is, that for rapidity of execution, and dispatch in the field, my method may be sufficiently well calculated, and I may therefore view it with a partial eye. But candour obliges me to admit, that, in some respects, it is inferior to the English system (for example, in wholly rejecting the upright position of the Tree); and it would be unsuitable to the large and expensive style of work, which is often executed by that ingenious and opulent people, and, in some instances, with extraordinary success.

In these circumstances, then, it is proper to declare, that the whole of the Practical part of the present work, and especially that, which relates to the Taking-up, Transporting, and Planting of Trees (that is, Sections